Batch ‘97, Gateway draw first blood

CEBU, Philippines - Batch '97 and Gateway Batch 2007 outlasted separate foes to move a win away from clinching the championship in their respective divisions in the PLDT SME Nation-Alfredo Gothong 21st Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABA) Cup last Sunday night at the Magis Eagles Arena of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

In Division B, Magdaleno Sy topscored with 16 points as Batch '97 subdued Dynacast Batch 2001, 65-54, to gain a 1-0 head start in their best-of-three finals series.

Walter Ong added 13 points and Christopher Chad Go scored 11 for Batch '97, which gamely shrugged off a sluggish start to turn back Batch 2001.

Trailing by seven at the end of the first period, 8-15, Batch '97 replied with a 15-7 run in the second period to wrest the driver's seat at halftime, 23-22, for good.

 Carlo Villarica fired 20 points for Dynacast but got no ample support from ther rest of his teammates.

In the battle for third place, Dennis Que sparkled with 28 points, Stanley Ong unloaded 18 and Glenn Sevilla had 11 as Choobi Bay Crab '91 triumphed over AutoLAB '99 via a 67-66 cliffhanger.

In Division C finals, Arnold Sean Go led four players in double figures with 16 points for Gateway 2007, which upended Kitrol Batch 2003, 65-51, to draw first blood in their own race-to-2 duel

Brennon Kent Gothong netted 13 points, while Karl Gajudo and Raymund Ortiz chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for Gateway, which kept Kitrol at bay after registering a 34-21 advantage at the break.

Gateway 2007 and Batch '97 could wrap up title if they score a repeat performance over their rivals this Wednesday night at the Sacred Heart old campus. EBV (FREEMAN)